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Posts Tagged ‘gastric bypass patients’

Vitamin B-12 (Cobalamin) originates in most protein foods, but even meat-eaters can get vitamin B12 deficiency. Absorbing vitamin B12 is a tricky process, and people who lack the intrinsic factor protein are unable to digest vitamin B12 from natural sources. Learning about B12 supplement absorption is essential for avoiding B-12 deficiency symptoms.

Vitamin B12- What is it?

Vitamin B12, a member of the B-complex family of vitamins, is a water-soluble protein. Most of the vitamin B12 that you eat comes from meat sources, as animal microorganisms produce it. Beef, liver, chicken, fish, and shellfish are some of the richest sources of vitamin B-12, in addition to eggs, cheese, and other dairy products. The only widely confirmed vegan form of B12 occurs in brewer’s yeast.

4. In the small intestine, R protein and B-complex separate. B12 then attaches itself to intrinsic factor.

5. The B12/intrinsic factor complex travels through the small intestine, finally arriving at the very bottom, where it reaches the terminal ileum. The ileum then absorbs the vitamin B12 and distributes it into your bloodstream, where it is then stored in the liver.

Things that can go wrong with vitamin B12 Absorption

Some people are unable to digest vitamin B12 properly from food, and must instead receive vitamin B12 injections, which go directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the need for digestion.

You don’t have intrinsic factor. Lack of intrinsic factor is an autoimmune response, in which autoantibodies destroy intrinsic factor proteins produced in the stomach. Since intrinsic factor is required in order to digest B12, the only way to avoid B12 deficiency is to bypass digestion by taking vitamin B12 supplements.

You are among the elderly. The majority of senior citizens don’t produce the amount of stomach acids needed to break down B12 for digestion. Even the minimum amount of vitamin B12 recommended by physicians is not enough to avoid dementia caused by B12 deficiency, so elderly individuals are a high-risk group. To prevent early-onset Alzheimer’s disease or neurological damage, transdermal vitamin B12 is advisable.

You take heartburn medication. As with the elderly, people who have GERD, or others who frequently take medicine for acid-reflux, including pregnant women, are susceptible to B12 deficiency.

You have had your ileum removed.Gastric bypass patients are at high risk for developing vitamin B12 deficiency, as are other patients of gastrointestinal surgery, such as sufferers of Crohn’s disease. Unfortunately, many surgeons neglect to warn their patients about complications regarding vitamin B12 deficiency, and many bariatric surgery patients don’t find out about it until the symptoms- depression, fatigue, brain fog- become too hard to ignore.

You are a vegan. The vegan diet is largely devoid of B-12 sources, so unless you are a vegetarian who eats eggs, fish, or dairy, then you must take regular vitamin B12 supplements in order to avoid B12 deficiency.

You are diabetic. Metformin, a diabetes drug, interferes with the absorption of vitamin B12.

You have an autoimmune disease. Many autoimmune diseases such as celiac disease, fibromyalgia, and chronic fatigue syndrome are highly correlated with B12 deficiency. Scientists are unsure as to the exact cause, but they have noted a decrease in symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, and depression with the inclusion of vitamin B12 supplements.

Gastric bypass surgery, along with other forms of weight loss surgery (WSL), can be a life saving option for the morbidly obese, but it does have its drawbacks. Teens and adults alike risk losing bone mass and getting severe vitamin B12 deficiency or pernicious anemia, to name just a few potentially harmful side effects.

To the yo-yo dieter, the decision to undergo gastric bypass surgery might seem like that “golden ticket” she’s been searching for all her life, but the post-op reality is often far from the Cinderella-like fantasy she’s been indulging in.

Here are 10 mistakes often made by gastric bypass patients which you should know about before electing for bariatric surgery:

Mistake #1: Not taking your vitamins!

Gastric bypass patients are given a medication to inhibit the production of stomach acids which are essential for digesting vitamins such as vitamin B12. Often in the case that a doctor releases his weight loss surgery patient with the ill advise to take a daily chewable multivitamin, such as the type given to children. The reality is, if you decide to go under the knife for weight loss surgery, expect to make a lifelong commitment to taking a heap of WLS-approved chewable vitamins every day in order to prevent vitamin deficiency, anemia, neurological damage and, in extreme cases, death.

Mistake #2: Thinking your struggles with food are over!

Nothing could be further from the truth; the body may have gotten slimmer, but your brain still longs for the good old days of binge eating. Behavior modification and counseling is crucial for successful weight loss, whether you’ve lost the weight naturally or on the surgeon’s table.

Mistake #3: Thinking you will be slim and trim!

Weight loss surgery patients do lose an immense amount of weight, as promised, but don’t expect to look like Pamela Anderson anytime soon; the reality is, many gastric bypass patients don’t reach their intended goal, nor do they necessarily keep all of the weight off. And remember, all that excess skin doesn’t just shrink back into your body; weight loss surgery patients often resort to plastic surgery, either for cosmetic or health reasons, to have a tummy tuck, arm skin flaps (batwings) removed or facial skin tightened.

Mistake #4: Eating unhealthy foods

Just because you can no longer fit a triple-decker cheeseburger and fries into your now petite stomach doesn’t mean you should try. Weight loss surgery patients are often faced with the difficult challenge of choosing food wisely at parties, evenings out and other situations where the sky is the limit.

Mistake #5: Not staying hydrated!

Bariatric surgery patients run a serious risk of dehydration if they don’t drink 8 servings of water per day. Additionally, water is crucial for avoiding kidney stones or gall stones, an excruciatingly painful and common side effect of many weight loss surgeries.

Mistake #6: Snacking!

Gastric bypass surgery is effective because it prevents you from fitting a large amount of food in you tummy at one time; resist the impulse to consume small mini-snacks throughout the day, lest you find yourself back in your pre-surgery body.

Even small amounts of refined sugars and flours can put on the pounds. Avoid white rice, starchy bread rolls and sticky sweets in favor of brown rice or barley, whole-grain breads or crackers and fresh fruits of the season.

Mistake #9: Drinking carbonated beverages!

Weight loss surgery patients are advised to avoid diet sodas and other bubbly drinks; many believe that they can inflate stomach pouch, reversing the effects of the surgery.

Mistake #10: Drinking alcoholic beverages!

Recent reports suggest that post-surgery, many gastric bypass patients develop a sensitivity to alcohol. Doctors recommend holding off on alcohol for at least one year after having any type of weight loss surgery.